Program Disclosure

The Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) requires accredited programs to disclose accurate, understandable and accessible information to the public. The following information is provided to the public to report on the program’s accreditation status, student performance and to help potential students make informed application decisions.

a. the professional program’s mission, objectives, and goals

The LA Department website contains information on the Department Mission, Goals and Program Learning Objectives as well as other valuable resources about the program.

b. accreditation status

Cal Poly is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.  Refer to WASC’s Cal Poly Institutional Profile for additional information.  The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) is professionally accredited by the LAAB. 

Current LAAB Status:  Fully Accredited. Next review scheduled for Spring 2027.

c. estimated cost of attendance, including fellowship, assistantship, and scholarship opportunities and other financial support options to reduce the cost of attending

• Cal Poly lists detailed Undergraduate Costs for the 2026-27 academic year on it’s website.  The BLA program is housed on the San Luis Obispo Campus.  To calculate cost of attendance as an incoming student for fall 2026, select – New Student, then review cost options for the College of Architecture & Environmental Design.  Costs can vary based on residency and housing options.
• The Cal Poly Financial Aid website offers detailed information on Types of Aid – including scholarships, grants, loans, work study and other types of assistance, Applying for Financial Aid, and Managing Financial Aid.
• The department provides details on College and Department Scholarships and Awards on the LA Department website.  The Landscape Architecture Department has dispersed an average of $172,830 in scholarships per year over the past five years.

d. student retention and graduation rates

One-Year Retention Rate: The following table shows the one-year retention rate for first time freshmen entering the Landscape Architecture program over the past six years, as provided by the university’s Institutional Research office:

Cohort*	Fall 2019	Fall 2020	Fall 2021	Fall 2022	Fall 2023	Fall 2024
% Freshman returning (#)	97.1% (34)	95.1% (39)	94.7% (36)	97.7% (42)	96.1% (49)	100% (47)

*When the students entered the program.

Freshmen Graduation Rate: The following tables show five-year, six-year and seven-year graduation rates for first-time freshmen entering the Landscape Architecture program, as provided by the university’s Institutional Research office:

Cohort*	Fall 2015	Fall 2016	Fall 2017	Fall 2018	Fall 2019	Fall 2020
% Graduated within 5 years (#)	69.6% (16)	77.1% (37)	58.3% (14)	70.4% (38)	75.7% (28)	78.0% (32)
% Graduated within 6 years (#)	73.9% (17)	85.4% (41)	70.8% (17)	76.4% (42)	86.5% (32)
% Graduated within 7 years (#)	78.3% (18)	91.7% (44)	79.2% (19)

*When the students entered the program.

e. number of degrees granted per year

Degrees Awarded: The Landscape Architecture program has awarded the following number of degrees over the past six years:

	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24	2024-25
BLA Degrees Awarded	27	51	27	51	43	52

f. percentage of students with timely graduation

Information on graduation rates for the university can be found in the Cal Poly Institutional Research Retention & Graduation Report.  Information on the graduation rates for first-time freshmen entering the program can be found in item d.

g. list of required and optional materials and equipment, including an estimated cost as well as available shared resources or alternative access

The LA Department has 24-hour general access computers, scanner and printer located in the studio environment.  All students are required to have a personal laptop and access to required software that meets the program’s Laptop Computers & Software Recommendations.

Estimated costs for supplies, activities and printing are included in syllabi for each course section.  An overview of costs for departmental Course Supplies is updated annually on the LA Department website.  Cal Poly supports a university-wide effort for students and faculty focused on Affordable Course Materials, with an emphasis on textbooks.

h. supplemental and experiential learning opportunities, associated costs, and potentially available subsidies

The program’s comprehensive curriculum prepares students well for entry-level opportunities in the Landscape Architecture profession.  A variety of supplemental and experiential opportunities support this curriculum and student learning including:

• Off-Campus / Study Abroad Programs.  Optional programs provide students the opportunity to explore and experience unique study options, approaches to the profession, new landscapes and different cultural settings.  Costs and financial aid opportunities vary by program.
• Internship / Shadowship Program.  The department requires every student to complete a 120 hour work experience within the landscape architecture profession.  The Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (SCASLA) Honor Society and the Landscape Architecture Department Advisory Council (LADAC) support job shadowing opportunities throughout the year.  Housing and transportation costs vary by experience location, but no supplemental costs are applied.
• The program hosts a range of experiential learning opportunities including course site visits and field trips.  Students have the option to participate in Cal Poly’s Design Village and Vellum Furniture Design competition as well as professional and student design competitions throughout the year.
• Students are eligible to receive financial support to attend the national ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture thanks to an Instructional Related Activity (IRA) grant. 
• The department supports three student clubs connected with the Landscape Architecture profession.  Student clubs often participate in annual conferences including LABash and student mixers connected with the Southern California Chapter ASLA.  Costs vary by activity.

i. post-graduation employment  

Cal Poly Career Services conducts an annual survey that includes post-graduation plans and reports information in the Graduate Status Report.  Information from this survey for Landscape Architecture graduates includes the following information:

Activity	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24	2024-25
Graduate Ed	1		1		1
Academic
Private	15	9	21	13	11
Government			3	2
Non-Profit					1
Design-build		1	3	2	2
Volunteer
Not in LARC	1	1	3	3	2
Unknown	7	18	16	22	31
Other	27		4	1	4
Total	51	29	51	43	52

j. number of licensed faculty

15 full- and part-time faculty maintained an active Landscape Architecture license.  For the 2025-26 year, a total of 23 full and part-time faculty taught LA courses Detailed Faculty & Staff Profiles can be views on the program’s website.

k. educational requirements for licensure eligibility

The BLA program meets the educational requirements for licensure eligibility throughout the United States.  More information about how to become a licensed Landscape Architect can be found on the American Society of Landscape Architecture’s Your Path to Landscape Architecture webpage.